References From 1980 through 2004 57 cases of diphtheria were reported in the United States an average of 2 or 3 per year range 0 5 cases per year Because of widespread immunization and better living conditions diphtheria is now rare in the United States with only 5 cases have been reported to the CDC since 2000 CDC 2013 Before the Diphtheria vaccine the CDC reported that in the 1920s there were about 100 000 to 200 000 cases of diphtheria each year in the U S The overall fatality rate for diphtheria is 5 10 with higher death rates up to 20 among persons younger than 5 and older than 40 years of age CDC 2013 Approximately 15 000 people died each year from the disease Cases dropped quickly after the vaccine to about 19 000 cases in 1945 CDC 2013 CDC Pinkbook Diphtheria 6 Epidemiology and Prevention of VaccinePreventable Diseases May 2012 The Pink Book Course Textbook Chapter 6 12th Ed Retrieved from http www cdc gov vaccine s pubs pinkbook dip html http www vaccines go v diseases diphtheria D iphtheria A serious bacterial infection usually affecting the mucous membranes of your nose and throat DTaP Tdap and Td Vaccines It became known that Diphtheria was a common cause of death in children and adolescents in the 1920s In the 1940s the vaccine was 1st used to virtually eliminate the disease As a result we see fewer than 2 cases in a year The bacteria that causes diphtheria makes a harmful protein which is a toxin Thus the vaccine is made by inactivating the toxin with a chemical which turns it into a toxoid Once injected into the bloodstream the toxoid causes an immune response to the toxin Offit 2013 DTap or DT is used for infants and children They receive up to 5 doses on the age of 6 Vaccines 2013 The Td or Tdap vaccines are given to adolescents and adults Protection against diphtheria fades over time It is important to receive booster shots of vaccines every 10 years starting at the age of 11 or 12 Are the Current Vaccines Working The Dtap vaccine prevents Diphtheria National Center 2013 The side effects associated with the vaccine are mild and include pain or soreness in the local area of the shot and occasionally a low grade fever Offit 2013 These problems are fairly common after the 4th or 5th dose of the vaccine Sometimes it could be followed by the swelling of the entire arm or leg in which the shot is given Moderate problems such as seizure and non stop crying are uncommon Severe problems such as a serious allergic reaction and permanent brain damage are very rare within individuals Diphtheria is an extremely rare case in the Unites States and most of all cases are imported The risk of death from the infection is pretty small Immunization rates dropped in both Europe and Russia which resulted in severe outbreaks of the infection This shows that if we don t immunize diphtheria can appear quickly Basically vaccination is needed to protect yourself from diphtheria and the rate of that protection is pretty high for anyone who might be susceptible Offit 2013 Type of Microbe and Symptoms The infection is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diptheraia This bacterium is a toxin which causes a bad sore throat swollen glands fever and chills It can lead to potentially life threatening complications such as breathing difficulties problems with heart and nervous system and paralysis 10 of the cases have resulted in death so diphtheria can become really serious if the person has not been vaccinated MedlinePlus 2013 These are fairly common with anyone who is infected People who consider a risk of respiratory failure are considered to be a higher risk and are put on a machine to breathe for them while being treated for diphtheria MedlinePlus 2013 Also children are more susceptible to the infection Also unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated people who travel internationally or have contact with people from less developed countries might have more complications